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Responding to air pollution in disasters (RAPID) air sampling and symptom monitoring in East Palestine, OH

Award Number: R21ES036034
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/24/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

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Responding to air pollution in disasters (RAPID) air sampling and symptom monitoring in East Palestine, OH - ABSTRACT The overall objective of this project is to apply mobile air sampling strategies and novel health assessment and communication tools to rapidly characterize sustained health risks from hazardous volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure during the remediation and recovery phases of the East Palestine, Ohio environmental disaster. This research builds from ongoing mobile air sampling in East Palestine conducted as part of the Texas A&M University Superfund Research Center (TAMU SRC) showing elevated VOC levels, particularly acrolein, that vary spatially across the East Palestine township. The overall goal of the TAMU SRC is to characterize and manage the human health risks associated with exposure to environmental emergency-mobilized hazardous substances. The situation in East Palestine exemplifies the critical data gaps in both exposure and health risks. Current ambient air monitoring approaches lack fine spatial resolution. Additionally, standard methods like those used at EPA stationary monitors use “targeted” approaches, missing potential novel chemical exposures. Importantly, there is also a lack of critical health information despite the documented environmental concerns following the East Palestine train derailment, chemical spill, and controlled burn. Generally, there is very limited data on the health impacts associated with these occurrences. Thus, the central hypothesis of this project is that VOCs may vary spatially based on phases of the recovery, and mobile air sampling data in combination with resident self-reported symptoms will inform localized hotspots of VOC mixtures. To determine the distribution of VOCs over time as cleanup efforts continue, aim 1 will sustain mobile air monitoring by taking measurements that are highly spatially and temporally resolved at 9-, 12-, and 15-months post-disaster. Aim 2 will focus on interpreting VOC data, contextualizing risk, and collecting health data using validated surveys identifying chemical and non-chemical stressors, addressing physical and mental health, and unique chemical sensitivities. Also, the application of an innovative AI text messaging application for residents to freely report health and environmental concerns through a chat bot will provide a means for continued health surveillance. Overall, the novel tools and findings from this project will directly inform hyperlocal air quality and residential health concerns following an environmental disaster that can serve as a template for responding to air pollution in disasters.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Environmental Health	000	2	11/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $120,898 )
2025	2025	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Environmental Health	000	2	12/19/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$120,898
														Subtotal = $120,898

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $142,602 )
2024	2024	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	1/23/2024	NEW	$142,602
														Subtotal = $142,602

Grand Total All Awards = $263,500

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Responding to air pollution in disasters (RAPID) air sampling and symptom monitoring in East Palestine, OH

Award Number: R21ES036034

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/24/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

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